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Follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

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Follicle-stimulating hormone is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In women, follicle-stimulating hormone controls the growth of follicles before their maturity and readiness for ovulation. The synergistic interaction of follicle-stimulating hormone and LH stimulates the synthesis of estradiol by granule cells. In men, follicle-stimulating hormone controls the growth and function of the seminiferous tubules, in particular spermatogenesis.

At the beginning of the cycle, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone is higher than in the final stages of the menstrual cycle. The peak of the hormone concentration is observed in the middle of the cycle, simultaneously with the ovulatory peak of LH.

After ovulation, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone falls and again reaches the values observed in the early stages of the follicular phase at the end of the cycle.

Reference values (norm) of concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone in blood serum

Age	FSH, me / l
Children under 11 years of age	0.3-6.7
Women:
Follicular phase	1.37-10
Ovulation phase	6.17-17.2
Luteal phase	1.09-9.2
Menopause	19.3-100.6
Men's	1.42-15.4

trusted-source [1], [2], [3], [4],

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